Massage therapy has existed since ancient times and it has been practiced in all cultures. It seems like human beings have an inherent need to relax, and massages have been one of the ways we have satisfied this need for ages. Massage is a technique that consists of manipulating the soft tissues of the body. During a massage session, a chiropractor rubs and presses on your skin, muscles, and tendons with different levels of pressure. There are different types of massages and each one has different purposes. However, they all have some common benefits that are explained in this article.
It helps you manage your stress
In the last decades, stress has been shown to have a real effect on our overall health, increasing the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as cancer. People have grown to understand the importance of finding ways to decompress and relieve all their stress to avoid getting sick. Having massage therapy in SW Calgary can help you relax and relieve all that tension you have built up. There is a specific type of massage called a deep tissue massage that aims to stretch your muscle fibers. This helps you not only with stress management but also with mobility since it relieves pain and muscle tension.
Great for athletes
Did you know that most professional sports teams have chiropractors for their players? This is because massages can help treat and, in some cases, prevent sports lesions. Thus, if you practice a sport, it would be a good idea to look for a chiropractor near you to see how massage therapy can help you improve your performance and endurance and how you can prevent lesions.
It can control some chronic diseases
Chronic diseases are often really hard to treat and manage. There are many therapeutic options for these people, but they don’t always have the best outcome. In recent years, massages have shown some promise in the management of conditions such as migraines, insomnia, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, and juvenile arthritis. These last two are very painful and can severely affect a person’s quality of life. If you are suffering from any of these conditions, trying massage therapy near you could help with disease management. However, keep in mind that this technique is not supposed to substitute any treatment prescribed by a physician.
It can help with your pregnancy
Pregnant women can benefit from going to a chiropractor in SW Calgary. Studies have shown that pregnant women who have regular massages report less anxiety, improved mood, better sleep and less back pain than those who don’t. A lot of pregnant women have to deal with insomnia and back pain, so this is a very easy way to control those unfortunate symptoms during a crucial time in one’s life.
It will boost your immune system
Some studies have reported that massage therapy helps elevate your white blood cell count. White blood cells are the ones that keep you healthy by fighting off bacteria and viruses. They help prevent infections as well.
Can everyone have a massage?
The answer is no. Not anyone can have a massage. It’s not that massages are dangerous, but they should be avoided under certain conditions. For example, people with bleeding disorders or patients who are taking blood-thinning medication should abstain from these practices since they involve applying pressure to the skin and this can result in hematomas. Other people who shouldn’t have massages are those with severe osteoporosis, fractures, and deep vein thrombosis. Nonetheless, to determine if massage therapy is safe in your case, speak with your physician.
All in all, massage therapy is harmless unless performed on someone with a contraindication. However, keep in mind that it shouldn’t be painful and if you feel any discomfort at all tell your chiropractor in SW Calgary.